Residents of Clova House remember the war years

These stories were submitted to the People’s War site by Lin Freeman of Radio Derby CSV on behalf of residents of Clova House and have been added to the site with their permission. The authors fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

Marion Wright’s memories of the war were being in the Anderson war shelter during an air raid. Marion’s grandad slept all the way through it. When the All Clear sounded, Marion’s father wrapped her in a blanket and carried Marion back to the house singing ‘twinkle, twinkle, little star’. When everyone got back to the house they all had cheese sandwiches because the adrenaline had been flowing.

Betty Brown’s memory of the war was the soldiers based on Osmaston Park Road with their guns. Also the ack ack guns. Airmen lodged with Betty.

Joan Kinsey’s memories of the war were her husband Arthur away for 5 years. Also the bombs which hit Melbourne at 8am in the morning.

Emily Cranage’s memories of the war were the bombs at Chad Park, and lighting cans of oil to make a smoke screen at night.

Irene Clark’s memories of the war were the Yankees coming down Harvey Road in big lorries. Also the bombs at Parker Street which put the windows through at Irene’s home.

Ethel Allen’s memory of the war was when she saw bombs dropping in Pete Street.

Ivy Simpson’s memory of the war was her husband being away for 4 years.

Marcia Bertie remembers working long shifts at Rolls Royce making various artillery for the war.

Cath Wilkins remembers when the siren went, going down into the shelter. Cath does not really want to remember sharing the food ration.

Edna Newell remembers the planes coming over and possibly a bomb being dropped on the Arboretum.

Pat Cook remembers her husband having to go away in the war and she was working doing clerical work.

Kate Fox remembers a bomb being dropped in Markeaton Allestree area in someone’s back garden and everybody wondering if they should evacuate. The bomb did not go off.

Wendy Meakins cannot remember anything about the war.

Alice Cotterill remembers going into the air raid shelter, but doesn’t remember much else. She says “you just had to do what you had to do and just get on with it”.

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